has changed now to an Empire. I saw it both times there......I chose both times to avoid the 3D and IMAX. I'm don't need all those big deals that the kids love so much! lol. I haven't seen an IMAX film in years....but....I'm not that drawn to it. 3D is not my style at all. I am going a third time near the end of the month....I should have a better idea of what I really think by then... I hope! But will probably change when all three are out.

I'm glad that Starling was able to allay your reservations about the ethical issues, and that you were able to finally see TH. But I admire you for being prepared to forgo something you've been looking forward to for so long had that not been the case. I'm afraid I'm not familiar with the issues. I've been a bit of a moral coward; whenever I sensed any controversy in a thread, I just moved on. My thinking was that there was probably no way to know what's true or not, so just moved on. But I guess that's just sticking my head in the sand.

I kind of understand what you mean about wanting to prove that LOTR related things didn't have a hold over you. When the first two LOTR films came out, I really lost myself in them; they were like a refuge from real life. I felt like I was hiding from my life, or lack thereof, in ME. But when ROTK came out, I was living and teaching in Poland, having the time of my life. I still enjoyed ROTK, but it wasn't an escape, just entertainment. However, I credit LOTR, in part, for motivating me to make that giant change in my life.

As for me missing the theatrical release, I'm used to missing out on the big movie events. (I really don't mean to sound self-pitying) It would have been wonderful to see Middle Earth on the big screen again, but the time between theatrical release and DVD release seems to get shorter and shorter, so I won't have long to wait to see it on the little screen. And then, I can join in on the discussions!!!

Zara, if it's any consolation, I do not think this is a movie that *has to be seen on the big screen* -- unless you are interested in IMAX etc -- so really it's just a matter of waiting a little while longer, as you say.

... it is still a noble thing you are doing, which of course is the main consolation.

please please please find a "respite care" worker who can come in for a few hours a week and give you a break. If not you will burn out and be of no use to your dad at all. I'm serious: I know someone who was so stressed by being the only caregiver that she ended up in the hospital - and you can imagine what a crisis that was all around. There are folks who do this kind of thing for a living, and if you are in the US and your dad is over 65, Medicare will pay for it.

I know what you mean as I mentioned to a co-worker yesterday that I had seen The Hobbit 5 times....I thought he was going to check my temperature to see if I was suffering from fever. Yes....Hobbit fever !

In terms of voter participation, this poll has the highest number of votes of any I remember seeing over the past 4 years. The total number of votes is a nice round 111, a good number of responses with which to genralize/extrapolate.

It was in 2D, so after seeing the movie in all formats, I can say that my 2nd and 3rd viewings in 48fps are my favourite. Maybe next week I'll go in one more 48fps screening as this must be the last chance to see it this way.

not sure if it was HFR though. The CGI looked more realistic for most things (the Great Goblin and the wargs were not noticeably better, though Azog looked much better), though I found if I did not hold my head perfectly still and in a certain position that the image broke quickly.

I saw it last night, finally. We've conspired for me to take Elboron on the last day of Hannuka as a surprise, unless he misbehaves - which he did. And last week we were snowed in. Well, well.My main concern was that watching a 3-D film of three hours will strain my unused eyes, and I will be too tired to drive back. But I've managed.

I think if you log out of your TORn account and then visit the poll you will be allowed to vote as a guest... I was thinking of doing the same thing since my vote has changed twice. (I'm as surprised as anyone.)

Snowed in? You must be in the mountains... This has been a crazy winter. I hope it was as romantic as it sounds.

edit: I just tried it and indeed you can vote again as a guest -- but only once as a guest from the same IP address I think.